BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Town Hall will open for regular town business at 8 a.m. Monday, Oct. 7. Customers will be able to pay water bills and apply for permits. Delays may occur and people may be redirected for resources and storm information.

Situation report

The food and water distribution center is serving more than 2,000 residents daily. In addition to the official distribution point, more than 40 organizations are supporting the community through hot meals, food and water distribution and other needed services.

Over the course of storm response, more than 400 lives have been saved. Basic needs are now being met in the town, and aid continues to arrive daily. Resources are available for citizens for FEMA disaster assistance at www.disasterassistance.gov. BEWARE OF SCAMMERS. We have had reports of scammers in the area. Ask all personnel to show identification badges. All FEMA support will be in identifiable uniforms or vests.

Road access & fuel

About 90 percent of town roads are clear. The remaining roads are closed because they are impassible or are not safe to travel on.

With the restoration of power to the downtown area, several local gas stations have reopened. If you come to an intersection with the stop lights out, please treat it as a four-way stop.

Be mindful that there is a current shortage of barricades for safety purposes on damaged roads, please use caution when driving.

A townwide curfew remains in effect from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Highway 9 is now passable but is open to one narrow lane in some spots. Spectator traffic is causing congestion, which is directly hindering utility services from conducting necessary repairs.

Electricity

Power has been restored to portions of downtown Black Mountain. The majority of Black Mountain, Montreat and Ridgecrest remain without power. Power restoration will occur as lines are cleared.

The Black Mountain Fire Department pulled electrical meters from unoccupied damaged structures in order to mitigate any potential fire hazards as power begins to be restored. Residents should turn off the hot water heater breakers at their home if power is restored in order to keep it from burning up due to no water. Also, residents should turn off their ice makers.

Town Public Water System

Town water and sewer systems are still down. The Town of Black Mountain Public Works Department made substantial progress in repair of the water distribution lines. Public works crews have repaired the road down to the well, which is allowing Duke Energy crews to restore power to these wells.

Crews are also fixing leaks that they can and awaiting materials for one of the main water distribution lines. We are continuing to work with the city of Asheville to get one of the distribution lines back online. When water begins flowing to households, it may be inconsistent while systems are being tested. Please limit water use until systems are fully operational. A boil water advisory will be in place – boil all water vigorously for at least one (1) minute and let cool before using. Public Services:

Food and water distribution

Supplies of food and drinking water are available from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily at Ingles in Black Mountain, 550 N.C. 9. Ice will be available. Food and water are continuously coming into the community. There are many community organizations also distributing hot meals, including area churches, restaurants and nonprofit organizations.

Trash

The Town of Black Mountain Public Works Department has secured four 15-yard dumpsters in two sites — Tractor Supply at 125 Old U.S. 70 East and Ingles at 550 N.C. 9. Dump sites are for household trash only. If the dumpsters are full, please be patient and kind. No separate recycling is available at this time. Yard waste, bulk item and debris collection are not available. These drop-off sites are for Black Mountain residents, so be prepared to show identification.

Medical

A mobile urgent care clinic is available for residents in Ridgecrest, at the Excel College at 12 Florida Avenue in Black Mountain. There is also a mental health and basic medical support center at the South entrance to the First Baptist Church at 130 Montreat Road that is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Charging & Connectivity

A mobile charging and internet connectivity station is set up in the lower parking lot of the First Baptist Church in Black Mountain,(130 Montreat Road). The town is working to get the Montreat and Ridgecrest communities a mobile charging and internet connectivity station.

Restrooms

Public restrooms (port-a-johns) and handwashing stations are available at the Black Mountain Ingles, 550 N.C. 9.

How to receive information

Further, information will continue to be posted on the town’s Facebook page and at the information tent at the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center and at the Ingles food and water distribution site.